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SFWMD: What will Gov. Ron DeSantis do about board members who refuse to resign?

At a news conference Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Flagler Place in Stuart, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced new water policies and asked all South Florida Water Management District board members to resign.
Treasure Coast Newspapers

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office told TCPalm Wednesday it has no new information about the South Florida Water Management District flap, so here’s a recap of what we do and don't know, but hope to update you on soon.

The new governor — on his third day on the job — dropped a bombshell during a Jan. 10 news conference in Stuart, asking all SFWMD board members to resign immediately.

“We want to make sure we have everyone in the boat rowing the same way,” so “we really need to have a fresh start,” he said. “A lot of times, politicians forget what they promised during the campaign. When I say things, I mean them, so I’m coming here today to follow through.”

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Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis (left), U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (not pictured) and State Rep. Gayle Harrell (not pictured) during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

On his third day in office, following appearances in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of all South Florida Water Management District board members and said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

“For far too long, the South Florida Water Management District has been more accountable to special interests than to the people of Florida. That changes today, and I look forward to continuing to work with Gov. DeSantis to find replacements who make our waterways and environment the No. 1 priority,” Mast wrote in a news release.

Mast didn’t mince his words when four board members refused to resign.

“The governor made clear that he does what he says: He has a bold vision to fix Florida’s environment and improve our water quality. What’s also clear is that the board members of the South Florida Water Management District do not share this vision. The arrogance displayed over the past 24 hours by the board is indicative of how they have operated for the better part of the last decade — without transparency and with disdain for the people of South Florida who have been made to suffer through lost summer after lost summer. They have failed to exercise even the most basic, legally required level of transparency and, therefore, should be removed for cause.”

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U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis (left) and Brian Mast (center) speak with environmental advocate Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, during a boat tour to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

Alex Gillen (right of center), of Stuart, with Bullsugar.org, talks about algal blooms on the St. Lucie River with U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (far right) during a boat ride out of downtown Stuart on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, on the St. Lucie River. DeSantis is campaigning for the Republican nomination for governor. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis (left of center) and Brian Mast (right) pass under the Roosevelt Bridge during a boat ride out of downtown Stuart — accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron, environmental advocate Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and other stakeholders — on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (right) talks with Chris Hope, who owns Outboards Only along with business partner Phil Norman, both of Stuart, about algal blooms while in the marina the business uses during a boat tour on the St. Lucie River on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, out of downtown Stuart. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast (right) look out over the waters of the St. Lucie River during a boat ride out of Stuart on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Among other things, Mast cited the board's “illegal, shameful and undemocratic” vote to lease land needed for the EAA reservoir — designed to curb Lake Okeechobee discharges — to Florida Crystals subsidiary New Hope Sugar Co.

The lease was added to the board's agenda at 9 p.m. the night before the Nov. 8 meeting, and the board thumbed its nose at Mast's request — made at the meeting on DeSantis' behalf — to postpone the vote for further public vetting.

“I don’t know why it was handled that way,” DeSantis later said in Stuart. “I think it really, really upset a lot of people. I’m committed to having the reservoir move forward. I think that reservoir is very important. We don’t want to wait 10 years to have that.”

Brandon Tucker: “Everybody figured (DeSantis' request to resign) was coming, but I don't believe it was correct. I believe I made a commitment to serve out my term. I haven’t had an opportunity to meet with the governor and his staff and tell them about the issues and my positions on them."

Jaime Weisinger: "I think there's a lot more that needs to get done and I made a commitment to (Gov. Rick Scott) and the state. I'm not comfortable leaving at this point because I'd like to see these projects completed."

Sam Accursio:"I think the steps that were taken may slow the wheel down. Now we have nine people, possibly, who will have to learn the whole system immediately without having knowledge of the men and women who have been in these positions for years."

James Moran:“We don’t serve at the pleasure of the governor. If he thinks we serve at his pleasure, he is misinformed,” he reportedly told the Palm Beach Post.

Board Chair Federico Fernandez and Rick Barber have not responded to TCPalm’s request for comment on their plans, but they haven’t resigned, as did Dan O’Keefe, Carlos Diaz and Melanie Peterson.

Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee, said she thinks the vote may have broken the state law, which requires the district to publish a "notice of intention to lease" in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks starting at least 30 days and no more than 90 days before the board executes the lease.

If he does, the committee mostly likely would hear their case, but if committee members have conflicts of interest, the Senate would hire a nonpartisan mediator, called a “special master,” to hear the case.

Will the committee or special master retain or remove the board members, and would the full Senate give final approval of that action? That’s the $64,000 question.

Who will DeSantis appoint to the SFWMD board?

Will he take Mast’s advice and appoint Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, a Sewall’s Point Republican, former town commissioner and longtime St. Lucie River advocate?

Mast also recommended former Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, now an attorney at The Geo Group, but he told TCPalm, “I am focused on my responsibilities in the private sector. … I will continue to fight against the Lake O discharges, but not as a member of the SFWMD board."

Will DeSantis appoint more scientists to the SFWMD board?

“That would not be a requirement," he said in Stuart. "It’s really understanding the impact that some of the water problems have had on the community and really being sensitive to that. I just want good people who are willing to do the right thing.”

What does any of this matter?

The 16-county SFWMD board's decisions, in part, can affect whether Florida's east and west coasts are plagued with toxic red tide and blue-green algae blooms.